New Delhi: As expected by many experts, China remained non-committal with regard to stopping road construction in Doklam, a day after Indian and Chinese troops finished 73-day standoff that was triggered by China's intention to construct a road in the border area. "In order to meet the needs of defending the borders, improving the living conditions, China has long engaged in infrastructure development including the road construction," pointed out Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying. In a very good development&hellip;

New Delhi: As expected by many experts, China remained non-committal with regard to stopping road construction in Doklam, a day after Indian and Chinese troops finished 73-day standoff that was triggered by China’s intention to construct a road in the border area.

“In order to meet the needs of defending the borders, improving the living conditions, China has long engaged in infrastructure development including the road construction,” pointed out Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying.

In a very good development yesterday, both countries ended their standoff in Doklam by withdrawing their troops from the area, just days before PM Modi’s visit to China in order to attend attend the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India,China and South Africa) summit.

When mediapersons asked if China will keep on building the road in the area, Hua said, “we will take into consideration all relevant factors, including the weather, to make relevant construction plan in accordance with the situation on the ground.”

She went on to add that Chinese border troops “will continue to station and patrol the Doklam area. We will continue to exercise our sovereignty with historic conventions.”

Furthermore, she also parried a question whether China is in talk with Bhutan, which has protested the Chinese troops’ road building in Doklam.

“So far we have resolved the issue of illegal trespass of the Indian troops,” she said.

When asked whether China stopped the work on a Doklam road to end the standoff so that the BRICS summit could be held, Hua said, “Peaceful resolution of the issue through the diplomatic channels serves the common interests of all relevant parties.”

“It shows the sincerity and responsible attitude of China as a major country,” Hua added.

“I am very glad to hear that finally the two governments demonstrated their maturity and far reaching and farsighted decision to peacefully end the conflict,” Hu Shisheng, Director of the official China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations said.